SRM University researchers develop eco-friendly biofilm using fish scale wastes

The researchers have derived it from fish scale wastes to substitute the extensive use of plastic cuvettes for Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy measurements. 

A team of researchers at SRM University Andhra Pradesh has developed a see-through transparent biotemplate with 85 per cent above transmittance. The researchers have derived it from fish scale wastes to substitute the extensive use of plastic cuvettes for Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy measurements. 

“UV-Vis spectroscopy is a versatile analytical tool used to examine the nature of various synthetic, biological, and clinical molecules for pharmaceutical and environmental applications," the SRM University said in a statement as reported by News18.

The research team was lead by Anil K Suresh, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences demonstrated the practical on-biotemplate analysis of diverse analytes such as DNA, proteins, nanoparticles, organic dyes, bacteria, BSA assay, and dye-degradations.

"The large-scale development of the biotemplate can resolve several issues in performing sustainable research; for instance, generates huge demand for fish scales as a resource stratagem otherwise causative of foul smell and disease propagation when discarded," said Dr. Suresh while elaborating its benefits.

Also, the use of non-biodegradable plastic cuvettes can be minimised for routine analytics and unlike plastic cuvettes that demand 500-fold analyte the bio template, allows the analysis at a very low 10 microlitre volumes, making it feasible to analyse expensive, rare, and high-risk analytes.

Further, the research team from SRM University also demonstrated ease in large-scale production by generating about 3,000 bio templates at an affordable price. Dr Suresh further added that the biofilm is low-cost, plastic-free, use-and-throw biodegradable transparent biotemplate stemmed from food waste as a bioresource stratagem that has huge potential in routine scientific and pharma UV-Vis analytics.

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